NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Sema4 and California Cryobank today announced a collaboration to bring extensive genetic screening to new Cryobank sperm donors via its DNA Advantage Program using Sema4's Expanded Carrier Screen.
Through the DNA Advantage Program, Cryobank will have access to Sema4's extensive capabilities in reproductive health testing, including DNA extraction and storage for a number of sample types and karyotyping.
Cryobank and Sema4 will partner to develop new tools and processes to support the fertility process, such as improving the digital portal for ordering and test results review. Both companies' genetic counseling teams will help donors and prospective parents understand their screening results, in addition to providing compassionate guidance on future reproductive options.
"Interest in preconception care and genetic risk testing is growing as potential parents, and those who help serve their needs, seek to better understand the risk of passing a genetic disorder along to a child," Sema4 CEO Eric Schadt said in a statement. "By encouraging parallel screening for both donors and recipients, we will be better able to help reduce the risk for donor-conceived offspring to inherit one of these genetic diseases."
By offering reciprocal testing for sperm donor recipients, the Sema4 Expanded Carrier Screen gives a detailed and accurate understanding of the risk of passing any of 281 inherited diseases onto a child via a simple blood sample.
Cryobank's current program includes strict specimen quality standards, psychological screening, a three-generation family medical history review, and genetic and infectious disease screening. Less than one percent of its applicants qualify as sperm donors.